Blue Eyes I First Saw

Chapter 22

Faya and Zire get along too fast, making me feel like a third wheel across them. I stare at them with a smile. They sure are cute with each other. Both playful and talkative. I guess I played cupid today?

“. . .I know Sei is weird for riding all the way here for pancakes, she just misses me.” Faya chatted and my brows rose at that.

“It's convenient for me to see you two with my pancakes.” I started and their eyes flew to me and held their chest as if they were hurt.

“I'm just convenient, now?”

“I'm hurt.”

Faya asked as Zire said his phrase. Then, they looked at each other and laughed. Okay . . .that's cute.

Our food came and the man in his McDonald's crew uniform with ocean blue eyes stared at me again while fixing our food on the table. I looked away and saw Faya smirking at me. 

“Hey, Sei!” Zire called and I looked at him as his eyes went to me and to the man. “Right, you both are Sei.” he chuckled for an unknown reason. 

“Aww. Sei and Sei. So cute.” Faya commented looking at me and to the man standing beside our table

“You're going home?” Zire asked. Him and Faya have a grin on their faces.

“Uh . . .no.” I answered.

“Yes.” the cold voice followed.

Faya, and Zire who's sitting across from me shared an unknown look and laughed. This is awkward. 

“I— uhm . . .leave soon actually.” I admitted with my small voice.

Faya looked at me in surprise. “Oh? You're going home?” As I shake my head, the glint on her eyes says curiosity. “Where are you going, then?”

Should I tell her? She might get worried if I tell her I'm going to Aokigahara. Heck, it's so famous having the suicide forest in there.

“To . . .a new friend.” Souru is my new friend, right? Aside from being my brother at heart.

Faya nodded and my eyes drifted to Zire who's biting his lip while looking at me. His eyes say he's not convinced before smirking at the man who's silently standing beside.

“Sei—” two pairs of eyes stared at Zire as he called. One with dead ocean blue, and dark bark colored from mine. “Sei who's standing.” he chuckled. “That princess over there is Sei— the one who you know.” he shrugged on the last part where I didn't get a hold on the idea. Know what? I'm the princess he's pertaining to, I assumed? What's with me?

“I'm going.” the man simply said in a cold tone. I can feel his stare on me so I look at Faya who's staring at Zire in awe. Then, the man walked away, going somewhere.

“Damn, that man is hooked.” Zire said and chuckled by himself. 

We all began eating our meal. Faya shared hers with Zire and they are being adorable again. I, on the other hand, am having trouble thinking how I will eat all of these food in one meal. I didn't know Faya ordered a lot and I'd copied her where all I want is my pancakes.

I ate all of my pancakes with my soft drink float, leaving the other food untouched. I'll just take them out and bring them to Narusawa. 

“I'll just ask for some assistance.” I told the two and walked towards the counter. “Uhm . . .can I have some take out bags and boxes please? Eight boxes and two bags will do.”

The lady on the counter smiled and handed me what I needed with kindness.

The man with the ocean blue eyes, got out from a door with his casual gray shirt, jeans and shoes. He went straight to the main door and exited fast. 

I thought he left already? Maybe he changes his clothes. I just shrugged and walked back to our table, beginning to pack my untouched meal. 

“You sure are rich.” Zire chuckled before sipping on his drink. Eyeing the food I'm packing.

I just shrugged. “It's my parents, not me.” claiming my parent's hard work earned money is one of the topics I always deny. Given that I'm the only daughter means I'm the heir. I don't want that.

My family might not be as rich as the royal highnesses but, I'm sure we are more privileged than some other people.

“Hey! You're making my best friend uneasy.” Faya scolded Zire. 

Hearing the word ‘best friend’ is music to my ears once again. I smiled at them. “It's fine.”

“Sorry, princess.” he winked and turned to face Faya.

“Uhm . . .I'll go now. If it's okay?” I slid the last box on the bag and stood up.

“Sure. Take care, okay?” Faya stood up and gave me a hug. “You're setting me up on a sudden date.” she whispered, which made me chuckle.

“Partly?” we pulled away and chuckled. “Zire.” I acknowledged his presence and he smiled.

“I'll take care of my future girl.” he winked to Faya that made the latter blush. These people got aroused by cupid, I guess.

“Bye.” I smiled once again and left with my tote bag hanging on my right shoulder and clutching a bag of meal on my left hand.

My feet made its way to the bus station to Narusawa and I rode a bus in no time, settling myself on the seat near the window.

Minutes turned into an hour to three, the bus ride finally stopped and I went back on my tracks again. Hitting the way to Aokigahara forest to see my adorable ghost brother.

I sure have a long day to spend with him today. Having the meals in my hand isn't a bad idea after all. Do ghosts eat food from the living world? Or do they still eat? 

As I walked the road of Narusawa, some bystanders were smoking near the entrance of Aokigahara forest that made me halt on my tracks, contemplating whether to continue or wait for the bystanders to leave before entering the garden. 

Instead of going near the entrance I backed out and walked to the right. With my shorts that reached my mid-thighs I'll surely draw their attention by walking near them. I'm fully aware that what I wear isn't a reason to be violated or not anything that I do, it's the male who has a narrow, worldly, and evil mind's fault but I won't parade myself to them still, I'm sane and I can avoid them feasting on me.

Reaching a seed and plant storefront along the street. I stopped walking and sighed, looking back at the road I walked down a while ago. Some people are passing by as I stare at the ground. 

Minutes have passed, I wonder if the bystanders left the forest's entrance. I took a deep breath and started walking with the meals on my hand and my tote bag on my shoulder, clutching it tightly. 

I exhaled as I saw the forest's entrance empty from afar— from where I'm standing. Thank goodness, the bystanders left.

Making my way to the forest a small smile carved on my lips. I have a lot of stories to tell to Souru and I'm sure he'll be happy for me. I hope his days here are wonderful too amidst the darkness and the gloomy weather of the forest. 

“Souru—” I screamed as Souru appeared right in front of me with a howl. “What the heck?!” 

Souru laughed with his vibrating chest and clapping hands as he looked at my horrified expression. “Yo— you look like you just saw a— a ghost.” he stated in between his laughs.

Letting my breathing become normal I rolled my eyes at him. “I'm seeing a ghost, to be honest.” I said in full sarcasm.

“Right.” he chuckled and dropped his eyes on the bag I'm holding in my hand. “What are those for?”

“Uhh— I haven't eaten all of it so I just brought it out before going here.” I stated the fact and Souru's eyes glinted with sadness.

“My brother works on one of its branches. I wonder if he's still working there.” he said nonchalantly and began walking. 

I followed his tracks and it brought me near the forest's arc— where we bonded from the last time.

“Well, I think he's still working.” I started to lessen his wandering. 

Sitting on a log, I placed the bag full of food on the ground and set it up in the space between us. “Do ghosts eat fast food?” I asked hesitantly.

Of course, Souru has to laugh at my ridiculous question. What kind of ghost will eat fast food, right? “I hope ghosts can eat too. I miss all of these.” he pointed at the meal in front. “You bring a lot.”

I nodded. “This can be made for snacks, and lunch.” I shrugged and peeling the paper off a cheese Mcburger. I chuckled as I saw him stare at the food. “Want some?” I joked.

Souru smiled at me, flexing his perfectly aligned teeth inside his bruised lips. “My brother always brings me food from McDonald's for breakfast, or snacks, or lunch, or dinner, or midnight snacks.” he chuckled.

“Now, I'm wondering about your brother.” Souru seems so happy whenever he remembers his brother. “Of course, he's older, right?” I chuckled.

He did too and nodded. “He's taller and is a college student, he'll graduate this year. He's smart and hardworking and the best brother.” Souru talks more like his age now. His brother might really be the best to have Souru like this.

Souru continues talking about his brother while I finish my cheese burger and get my iPad in my tote bag. A crumpled paper was inside that made me frown. Maybe this was the paper from the streets I picked and haven't thrown.

Placing my iPad on my lap, I get the paper and show it to Souru. “Are there any trash cans in here?” 

“Just throw it when you get home.” he said nonchalantly, interrupting his words. “My brother is a scholar at the University of Tokyo, isn't he smart.”

My lips formed an O at that. “He is?! Do you mean the ten scholars that are fully funded— whatever?” he nodded and I had to daydream about me being that kind of smart. “Now, I want to meet your brother.” I joked.

“You can. He's just out there somewhere.” he shrugged with sadness in his voice. 

That made me stare at the crumpled paper on my hand. “Sorry.” for making you sad. 

Feeling guilty, I involuntarily opened the crumpled paper and dropped my mouth in surprise. “What the . . .” my words left my lips as I stare at the statement, on the printed picture, and to Souru who's looking at me with curiosity. 

My eyes flew back to the paper countless times. “You— You are missing.” I stated the paper's content.

“Huh?” Souru's eyes settled on the paper so I faced him it's printed side. “I'm missing . . .” he stated in a whisper with tears brimming on his soulful blue eyes. “I'm missing . . .”

My eyes watered as he stared at me in gratitude. “Thank you, Sei.” his sincerity is evident.

I frowned. “What— what for?” 

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